Keynote Speakers
Day 1 – July 20, 2026
10:30 am – Opening
11:00 am, July 20, 2026
Prof. Dr. Dursun Delen
Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
and Professor at Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
Short Bio
Dr. Dursun Delen is a world-renowned thought leader in the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, and business analytics. He currently serves as the William S. Spears Endowed Chair in Business Administration and the Patterson Family Endowed Chair in Business Analytics at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he is also a Regents Professor of Management Science and Information Systems and the Director of Research for the Center for Health Systems Innovation. Before joining OSU, Dr. Delen spent five years as a research scientist at a private research and consultancy company, where he led groundbreaking advanced analytics projects funded by prestigious federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and NASA. His prolific scholarship is evidenced by more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and 12 influential books, making him a sought-after consultant and keynote speaker at national and international conferences. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Delen shapes the future of his field as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business Analytics and AI in Business (Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence), and as a senior or associate editor for several other top-tier journals. His exceptional contributions have been recognized through numerous federal grants and awards—including honors as an eminent professor, Fulbright scholar, Regents’ Distinguished Teacher and Researcher, President’s Outstanding Researcher, and Big Data Mentor.
Presentation Title: Making Sense of AI, Data Science, and the Future of Decision-Making
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, big data, and business intelligence—these terms dominate conversations in industry and academia alike. Yet, for many, they remain blurred together, creating confusion about what each truly means and how they differ. This keynote aims to cut through the noise by demystifying these concepts, clarifying where they overlap, and—most importantly—showing where their real power lies. Through vivid, real-world examples drawn from healthcare, education, entertainment, and beyond, the talk will reveal how organizations are turning data into meaningful insight and competitive advantage. Rather than framing data science as just another buzzword, we’ll explore its feasibility, practical applications, and enduring value proposition as a driver of innovation. By the end, participants will not only understand the distinctions between the terms but also see how data-driven strategies are shaping industries and solving pressing global challenges. Join us for a pragmatic journey that bridges technical depth with approachable clarity—designed to empower leaders, practitioners, and innovators to see through the jargon and unlock the real promise of AI and data science.
11:30 am
12:00 pm
12:30 pm
Day 21 – July 20, 2026
10:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
12:30 pm
Day 3 – July 22, 2026
10:3o am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
12:30 pm